Last Thursday, the House Agriculture Committee held a hearing on hemp, entitled, “An Examination of the USDA Hemp Production Program.”

Del. Stacey Plaskett, D-U.S. Virgin Islands, who chairs the Agriculture Subcommittee on the Examination of the USDA Hemp Production program, listened alongside her colleagues to testimony on how to help the growing number of hemp farmers.

“This hearing is an opportunity for us to hear what we can do to ensure the continued growth and development of this re-surging crop,” Plaskett said.

“The Subcommittee received requests for greater market certainty and stability for farmers, producers, and consumers of the hemp industry. We also heard about industry successes, which include creating space for market diversification as well as addressing gaps and limits in the supply chain, including processing and manufacturing, increasing production capacity, and strengthening the links between the supply chain,” she said in a statement.

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, hemp and marijuana are both in the Cannabis family. While marijuana remains illegal under federal law, the Farm Bill signed into law by former President Donald Trump allowed hemp to be legally grown and sold across the United states. [Read More @ Spectrum News]